World Heritage

• Architectural Marvel: Built in the 15th century, it features a unique blend of Islamic and Bengali architectural styles, especially its 81 domes (despite being called “Sixty Dome Mosque”) and 60 interior pillars.  
• Historic Importance: Constructed by Ulugh Khan Jahan, a Sufi saint and a Turkish general who established the city of Bagerhat, the mosque represents one of the earliest Islamic settlements in Bengal.  
• Preservation of Culture: The site is a remarkable example of early Muslim architecture in South Asia and preserves the memory of the region's Islamic heritage.

The Shat Gambuj Mosque

The Shat Gambuj Mosque, also known as the Sixty Dome Mosque, is a historic mosque located in Bagerhat, Bangladesh. Constructed between 1442 and 1459 by the Turkish general Ulugh Khan Jahan, the mosque is part of the Mosque City of Bagerhat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite its name, the mosque features 81 domes: 77 over the main hall arranged in seven rows of eleven, and four domes atop the corner towers. The structure is supported by 60 stone pillars, which may have led to its name, as "Shat Gambuj" translates to "Sixty Domes" in Bengali. ​  The mosque's architecture showcases the Tughlaq style with thick, tapered brick walls and a hut-shaped roofline. Its oblong plan measures approximately 148 feet by 101 feet externally. The interior is divided into aisles and bays by slender columns, culminating in numerous arches that support the domes.

The Shat Gambuj Mosque

Originally, the historic Mosque City was known as 'Khalifatabad'. It is situated at the outskirts of Bagerhat town, not very far from the dense mangrove forest of the Sundarbans. Khalifatabad was a Muslim colony. It was founded by the Turkish general, a saint warrior, Ulugh Khan Jahan in the 15th century.  The infrastructure of the city reveals significant technical skills in many mosques as well as early Islamic monuments. Baked bricks were used for the construction of the buildings. The planning of the city was dominated by the tradition of Islamic architecture, and the decorations were a combination of Mughal and Turkish architecture.

The Shat Gambuj Mosque

Khan Jahan built a network of roads, bridges, public buildings, and reservoirs to make the city habitable. There were about 360 mosques in the city. among the most remarkable is the multi-domed Shat Gombuj Mosque. The mosque is unique in the sense that it has 60 pillars that support the roof, with low-height domes. The 4 towers at the 4 corners have smaller domes at the top as well. The Systematic and regular excavation started jointly by the Archaeological Survey of India, and Barendra Research Society of Rajshahi, and Calcutta University in 1723. They excavated the southwest corner of the monastery. Next, in 195-26, historian and archaeologist RD Banerjee excavated the northern part of the central mound. From 1926-27 onward, excavation was carried out under the supervision of KN Dikshit.

Somapura Mahavihara

Somapura Mahavihara (also spelled Sompur Mahavihara) is one of the most important and iconic archaeological sites in Bangladesh and South Asia. Here's an overview of this historic site:

Sompur Mahavihara in Paharpur, Bangladesh, is one of the largest and most important Buddhist monasteries in South Asia. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it stands as a testament to Bangladesh’s ancient history and architectural grandeur.

History

Somapura Mahavihara was one of the most famous Buddhist institutions for monks of ancient Bengal and Southern Asia. The excavated complex at Paharpur has been identified as Somapura Mahavihara, built by the second Pala king Dharmapala (781-821 AD). Some clay seals from the ruins bear the inscription.

The Pala rulers were devout Buddhists and founded a number of monasteries throughout their growing empire. Some of them became great centres of learning, and their reputation quickly spread throughout Asia. Sompura Mohavihara's close relationship with the ruling dynasty implied that it shared the political ups and downs of its benefactors.

Somapura Mahavihara

Architecture

Sompur Mahavihara in Paharpur, Bangladesh, is one of the largest and most important Buddhist monasteries in South Asia. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it stands as a quadrangular structure consisting of 177 cells and a traditional Buddhist stupa in the centre. The rooms were used by the monks for accommodation and meditation. In addition to the large number of stupas and shrines of various sizes and shapes, terracotta plaques, stone sculptures, inscriptions, coins, ceramics, etc, have been discovered in this site.  

The site houses the architectural remains of a vast Buddhist monastery, Somapura Mahavihara, covering 11 hectares (27 acres). It was an important intellectual centre for Dharmic Traditions such as Buddhists, Jains, and Hindus alike. The 8.5-hectare (21-acre) complex has 177 cells, viharas, numerous stupas, temples, and several other ancillary buildings. The outside walls with ornamental terracotta plaques still display the influence of these three religions.  

Somapura Mahavihara

In acreage, Somapura was the largest of the mahaviharas. According to Sukumar Dutt, the complex was dominated by a temple, which was strongly reminiscent of Hindu-Buddhist temples of Burma, Java and Cambodia, reproducing the cruciform basement, terraced structure with inset chambers and gradually dwindling pyramid form .... during the age of the Palas some sort of intercourse between eastern India and south-east Asia existed." Another commented, "there can be no doubt that this style of architecture has most profoundly influenced that of Burma, Java and Cambodia. The nearest approximation to the plan and the superstructure of the Paharpur temple is afforded by the temples known as Chandi Loro Jongrang and Chandi Sevu of Prambanam in Central Java.s a testament to Bangladesh’s ancient history and architectural grandeur.

Central Temple (Stupa) Design: 

• The central temple consists of a large pyramid-like structure, which is actually a stupa (a Buddhist reliquary). The design is distinctive for its square shape and four terraces, which rise step by step toward the top.  
• Function: The stupa was believed to house sacred relics of the Buddha or important Buddhist figures. It served as the focal point for religious rituals, prayers, and meditation.  
• Size: The stupa was originally around 12 meters high and was designed to be a monumental centerpiece in the center of the monastic complex.

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